Mentally Ill Need Our Concern And Financial Attention

PERCY ROSS

April 10, 1994|PERCY ROSS Syndicated Columnist

Dear Mr. Ross: I would like to pass along a little advice to Miss T. P. of Ithaca, Mich. How fortunate she is to have her brother in an institution where he is warm, clean, has regular meals, a roof over his head and medical care. Too many of our schizophrenic people are on the streets and homeless - subject to violence and even death.

At age 35, my husband suffered his first of many breakdowns. At the time, we had two boys, ages 9 and 10. I became my husband's legal guardian. I had to handle him and my job, plus raising the boys. At age 45, he was rehospitalized. That's when I learned I was pregnant again. We had two girls in two years. I can remember questioning the doctors about whether this illness could be inherited. "No, no, no," they kept telling me. Well, it can! I found out my mother-in-law had schizophrenia, and our last daughter has it. I tried to care for her, but it was too much. She's now in adult foster care because she tried to kill her two children. I am their guardian now and watch constantly for signs of the illness in them. So, to Miss T.P., I say: Visit your brother, send him special goodies and take him out on day passes, but never, never take him to live in your house. Schizophrenics cannot always be trusted, and their thoughts can become violent. Believe me, I know. - Mrs. J.B., Clare, Mich.

Dear Mrs. B.: Thank you for your letter, and please read on.

Dear Percy Ross: I desperately need some help - some protection - against the people who are trying to kill me. Whatever you do - don't go to the police. They're the biggest culprits in this. They've bugged my telephone and my room so we'll have to meet somewhere near my house. There are people constantly watching my every move, but I can fool them sometimes. The hard part is when my thoughts go into other people's heads - then, they can control me.

The doctors and nurses at the mental-health clinic have teamed up with the police. They're trying to drug me, but I won't let them. Please, I just want something or somebody to protect me from these awful people who are trying to kill me. - M.J., La Porte, Ind.

Dear M. J.: Hang tight, and read on.

Dear Mr. Ross: I'm writing to express my gratitude. You were a key player in getting me a scholarship to the West Virginia Canine College. You then went on to give me much of the remaining amount I needed for tuition, asking me to come up with the small balance. I did it! I graduated! I'm now a certified dog trainer. You and Wayne Davis (the founder of the school) have helped put meaning in my life. I was manic depressive and unable to hold down a regular job, but I'm now able to own my own business and work at my own pace. I want you to know that I'm going to go for it, and I'm very excited. Thanks again. I now look forward to a future - one I wouldn't have without you and Mr. Davis. Thank you for believing in me. - Diane Miller, Diamond, Ohio

Dear Readers: The above letters give us an inside look at mental illness from three perspectives. To Mrs. J.B., I thank you again for your letter. Don't forget, I'm a stone's throw away if you need some help. To M.J., I'm glad I phoned to learn you have a guardian living with you. I also learned that the $500 I'm sending should help secure medication and counseling services. And to you, Diane Miller, please accept a round of applause from me and my staff. We're extremely proud of your success. To the rest of my readers, I want to say that mental illness should not carry the stigma it still does. I look forward to the day we allocate more research money to finding better medication and treatment.